[at-l] Re: Mt Washington in Mass

[Cosmo.A.Catalano@williams.edu (cosmo catalano, jr.)]

Ken--
        Have I got the hike for you!

Drive to the State Park ranger station in Mt. Washington MA (about 30 min
from Gt. Barrington.  Hike west from the parking lot up Alander Mtn Trail.
There is a cabin (somwhat grubby) near the ridgeline where the AMT meets
the Taconic Crest Trail(2.8 miles). Stay at the cabin (night #1). No
tentsites nearby, though there is a tent area lower down on the Alander Mtn
trail, so you could stay there if the cabin is too gross.

Day 2, take the Taconic Crest Trail south (great views)  to the Mt Frisel
Trail (about 5 miles +/-).  Take the Mt Frissel Trail east (past the
tristate marker NY, MA, CT).  The western part of this trail is fairly
rugged in spots.  It will come to a small dirt road after about 3 miles or
so. Cross the road and continue on a old woods road east to join the AT
just south of Sages Ravine.  Take the AT north to Sages or Bear Rock Falls
for night #2 (you'll need a tent).

Day 3, North on the AT over Mt Race (watch for snakes) and Mt Everett,
fabulous views.  North of Everett, from the Guilder Pond parking lot (the
2nd one you come to--with the green privy in it) take the access road down
(west), turn left (south) onto the paved road (East Street I think) for a
1.5 road walk (little traffic) back to the car.

It's an easy 2.5 day hike (you'll be back in Barrington about noon on day
3), with great views and reasonable terrain, mostly.

This route (particularly the AT) will be busy, esp on the weekends.  Plan
on getting to the tent sites on Day 2 early.  I prefer Bear Rock to Sages
because the views are better, and the 'skeeters a bit more tame.

The Backpacker Magazine web site has a "Weekend Getaway" (or something like
that) article about this loop.


Cosmo

"There are three great times for thinking --
 On the john, in the shower, and while hiking.
 And the best of these is while hiking."
        --Colin Fletcher.



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